Preparing for the birth of a child is a crucial stage, because future parents need to buy everything they need, while not overdoing and not going beyond the budget. Therefore, the question of buying a changing dresser sometimes arises very sharply: whether or not you need it, if necessary, which one to choose, because there are many options on the market. Let's try to clarify how and why to buy a changing chest with drawers.
Pros and cons of buying a changing chest
Many parents think about what they will change their baby in the first months of his life. Of course, you can do all the necessary procedures right on the parent's bed, however, changing a child many times a day is too hard for any back. You can use a regular table, but not everyone has it, and a child who learns to roll over can roll off of it. Therefore, the purchase of a special changing device is a smart choice. In this regard, one of the most popular options, which has a lot of advantages, is a chest of drawers:
- The dimensions of the chest will allow it to fit in any room. You can choose a narrow chest of drawers, which occupies a smaller area, or you can wide, then even an older child will be comfortable on a wide table.
- For changing the baby’s clothes and hygienic procedures, as well as for massage, gymnastics and laying out on the tummy, the mother will not need to bend over, as if an adult bed is used for all of the above. The health of mom and her back is very important!
- The chest of drawers has drawers in which you can fold the baby’s clothes, diapers, diapers and all hygiene items, so that everything you need is at hand, and mom will not have to run to the other end of the room if she forgot to grab a diaper or clean pants.
- The chest of drawers has a folding or retractable changing table - when it is not needed, it folds up and the chest does not take up much space, and if necessary it can be easily folded out or extended with one hand.
- The chest of drawers can also be used after the child grows up, and it can be changed, sitting on the bed. Keep in it the clothes or toys of the baby, and if the chest of drawers is neutral in color, then you can put it not only in the nursery.
- Most models of chests of drawers are equipped with borders along the edge of the countertop, it is safe and convenient - the child will definitely not fall.
Against the background of these advantages, some disadvantages can be noted. The most significant is that even the narrowest chest of drawers takes up a lot of space. The dimensions of small-sized apartments leave much to be desired, and without an extra piece of furniture they are crowded, so in this case it is better to purchase a changing pad on the bed or a soft diaper on the table.
Also, the chest of drawers is made, as a rule, of chipboard, so you also need to purchase a soft changing mat. This is an extra waste, and given the considerable cost of the dresser itself, this minus can outweigh all the advantages.
How to choose a changing chest
Dimensions, design, color - the first thing that catches your eye when choosing a chest of drawers. Its price is also important, but it should be borne in mind that expensive models can cost unreasonably much, and there are budget domestic models that meet all the requirements. So, pay attention to the following:
- Material - most modern chests of drawers are made of chipboard. Solid wood items, of course, are preferable, but also significantly more expensive. Choose a material that is not afraid of moisture and is easy to clean. If the table is equipped with a mattress or oilcloth, it should also be easy to wash.
- Accessories, guides, wheels - all this should be of good quality. The skids inside the drawers should be easily rolled out with one hand and not leave the grooves; the handles of the chest should not be sharp - a grown-up child can hit them while crawling; the countertop should easily recline with one hand.
- Dresser configuration - there are chests of drawers on which the child is lying upright (they usually have a lid that leans back or extends), and there are those where the baby is placed horizontally, that is, sideways to the mother. Each mom will have to individually decide which chest to choose.
- The dimensions of the chest of drawers are also very important, especially if the room is small, consider this when buying.
Chest with bathtub
One of the options for a changing chest is a model with a bathtub for bathing. In such a model, instead of the middle box, this particular bath is rolled out. This is very convenient in the first couple of months, because many are scared to bathe the baby in a large bath, in addition, everything necessary for bathing will contain a chest of drawers. The dimensions of the built-in bath, however, are so small that soon the child will no longer fit in it, and this function will not be used for the remaining time, so weigh the pros and cons before buying such a chest of drawers.
Changing chest
Recently, such multifunctional items are also very popular - a crib has a continuation in the form of a chest of drawers with a changing surface. This allows you not to search for different items and immediately buy everything you need. In addition, such a kit takes up less space than a regular bed and a changing chest. The sizes of the chest of drawers for such models are very small, that is, the child will quickly cease to fit on the swaddle, and many things do not fit into the chest of drawers.
Changing chest sizes
The standard sizes of the changing chest are:
- The height is about 1 meter - this is the optimal height for the convenience of manipulation by parents of different sizes.
- The width is usually about 40-50 centimeters. When choosing a width, remember that this is also the depth of the boxes - the larger it is, the more spacious the boxes.
- The length of the dresser can vary from 60 centimeters to 80. The wider the dresser and its countertop, the longer the child will be placed on it.
Naturally, in furniture production dressers can always be made according to individual sizes.
Popular dresser manufacturers
Today, in any children's goods store a wide selection of changing chests of drawers is presented. Among domestic manufacturers, the brands Mozhga, Fairy, Aton Furniture are widely represented. “Mozhga” is known for more expensive models made of natural wood, their chests of drawers have classic shapes and will fit well into the refined interior of the nursery. “Fairy” and “Aton furniture” are budget models made of chipboard, but they are presented in various shades of wood and in different sizes.
Ikea chests are also popular. They are made from environmentally friendly materials, and their concise design is to the liking of many buyers. In addition, Ikea chests of drawers can be supplemented with convenient accessories - hanging containers and pockets, drawer dividers and the like. There are models that transform into a desk for an adult child.